H-BC school levy to increase less than 1 percent in 2021

The Hills-Beaver Creek School District levy is set to increase by less than 1 percent in 2021 following action at the H-BC School Board’s Sept. 28 meeting.
For taxes payable in 2021, the district will levy an additional $8,612 or .64 percent more than in 2020.
Local property taxpayers contribute $1.361 million to H-BC’s $5 million annual budget. State and federal education dollars make up the majority of the school’s budget.
Superintendent Todd Holthaus told board members that refinancing of the 2010 building bond to a lower interest rate reduced the upcoming levy amount by 6.45 percent or $2,187 from 2020.
The current levy increases the general fund and postemployment benefit services by .59 ($3,943) percent and 1.06 percent ($6,857), respectively.
H-BC will conduct a Truth in Taxation hearing at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, during the regular monthly meeting. The hearing is meant to engage public comment on the district’s preliminary levy and upcoming school budget.
After the hearing board members will accept or lower the state-determined levy.
 
In other business on Sept. 28, the H-BC board:
•moved the first November regular meeting to Thursday, Nov. 12, to accommodate the canvass of results from the Nov. 3 board election to the agenda.
•agreed to designate and sell selected Smart Boards as excess property.
•hired Brianna Leuthold as half-time teacher for the English Language Learner/Response to Intervention reading program at the elementary school. Her salary will be $22,500.